Changing Epidemiology Of Disease Research Articles

The Influence of Satisfaction on Service Quality and Intention to Recommend Mediated by Patient Loyalty

The purpose of this study is how the role of the Hospital as one of the health service facilities has a very strategic role in efforts to accelerate the improvement of the health of the Indonesian people. This strategic role is owned because the hospital is a technology-intensive health facility. This role is increasingly prominent considering the emergence of changes in disease epidemiology, changes in demographic structure, developments in science and technology, changes in the socio-economic structure of society, and services that are of better quality, friendly and able to meet the needs that demand changes in health service patterns in Indonesia. The analysis method is carried out through explanatory research, with the application of PLS / SEM. The concepts and problems studied look at the causal relationship, then explain the variables that cause the problems studied. The research sample was 384 respondents who had received services at a government tertiary hospital in Batam City. The findings of this study were patient satisfaction with the quality of service had a significant positive effect on patient loyalty. Patient satisfaction with the quality of service had a significant positive effect on the intention to recommend. Patient loyalty had a significant positive effect on the intention to recommend. Patient satisfaction with the quality of service had a significant positive effect on the intention to recommend with the mediation of patient loyalty

Past, current, and future trends in the prevalence of primary sclerosing cholangitis and inflammatory bowel disease across England (2015–2027): a nationwide, population-based study

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is one of the leading indications for liver transplantation in Europe, and a major risk factor for cancer in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, it is not known how the epidemiology of PSC will change as that of IBD evolves. The aim of this study is to provide nationwide statistics on the past and current prevalence of PSC and IBD across England, and forecast how this is likely to change over time. We accessed and analysed a nationwide population-based administrative healthcare registry, which houses prospectively accrued data since April 1st 2001. In so doing, the past and current prevalence of PSC-IBD and IBD alone was determined among 18-60-year-olds in England, alongside average annual percentage change rates (AAPC), between the 1st of January 2015 and 2020. Past and current prevalence data, alongside trends in incidence and event-free survival rates, were then used to forecast future prevalence between 2021 and2027. In 2015, the prevalence of PSC with prior IBD diagnosis was 5.0 per 100,000 population, rising to 5.7 when including those with IBD diagnosed after PSC. In 2020, prevalence increased to 7.6 (8.6 accounting for IBD developing after PSC), yielding an AAPC of 8.8. In 2027, PSC-IBD prevalence is forecast to be 11.7 (95% prediction interval [PI]: 10.8-12.7), and 13.3 when accounting for IBD developing after PSC (AAPC: 6.4; 95% PI: 5.3-7.5). Comparatively, the prevalence of IBD alone rose among 18-60-year-olds from 384.3 in 2015 to 538.7 in 2020 (AAPC 7.0), and forecast to increase to 742.5 by 2027 (95% PI: 736.4-748.0; AAPC: 4.7, 95% PI: 4.6-4.8). The rate of growth in PSC-IBD is predicted to exceed IBD-alone. Further research is needed to understand changes in disease epidemiology, including aetiological drivers of developing (invariably progressive) liver disease in IBD, and the implications of rising case burden on health care resources. This study was supported by an unrestricted grant provided by Gilead Sciences.

Shift in virus composition in honeybees (Apis mellifera) following worldwide invasion by the parasitic mite and virus vector Varroa destructor.

Invasive vectors can induce dramatic changes in disease epidemiology. While viral emergence following geographical range expansion of a vector is well known, the influence a vector can have at the level of the host's pathobiome is less well understood. Taking advantage of the formerly heterogeneous spatial distribution of the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor that acts as potent virus vector among honeybees Apis mellifera, we investigated the impact of its recent global spread on the viral community of honeybees in a retrospective study of historical samples. We hypothesized that the vector has had an effect on the epidemiology of several bee viruses, potentially altering their transmissibility and/or virulence, and consequently their prevalence, abundance, or both. To test this, we quantified the prevalence and loads of 14 viruses from honeybee samples collected in mite-free and mite-infested populations in four independent geographical regions. The presence of the mite dramatically increased the prevalence and load of deformed wing virus, a cause of unsustainably high colony losses. In addition, several other viruses became more prevalent or were found at higher load in mite-infested areas, including viruses not known to be actively varroa-transmitted, but which may increase opportunistically in varroa-parasitized bees.

Changes in transmission of Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) in England inferred from seroprevalence data.

The factors leading to the global emergence of Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) in 2014 as a cause of acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) in children are unknown. To investigate potential changes in virus transmissibility or population susceptibility, we measured the seroprevalence of EV-D68-specific neutralising antibodies in serum samples collected in England in 2006, 2011, and 2017. Using catalytic mathematical models, we estimate an approximately 50% increase in the annual probability of infection over the 10-year study period, coinciding with the emergence of clade B around 2009. Despite such increase in transmission, seroprevalence data suggest that the virus was already widely circulating before the AFM outbreaks and the increase of infections by age cannot explain the observed number of AFM cases. Therefore, the acquisition of or an increase in neuropathogenicity would be additionally required to explain the emergence of outbreaks of AFM. Our results provide evidence that changes in enterovirus phenotypes cause major changes in disease epidemiology.

Epidemiologic Evaluation of Retinopathy of Prematurity Severity in a Large Telemedicine Program in India Using Artificial Intelligence

Epidemiological changes in retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) depend on neonatal care, neonatal mortality, and the ability to carefully titrate and monitor oxygen. We evaluate whether an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm for assessing ROP severity in babies can be used to evaluate changes in disease epidemiology in babies from South India over a 5-year period. Retrospective cohort study. Babies (3093) screened for ROP at neonatal care units (NCUs) across the Aravind Eye Care System (AECS) in South India. Images and clinical data were collected as part of routine tele-ROP screening at the AECS in India over 2 time periods: August 2015 to October 2017 and March 2019 to December 2020. All babies in the original cohort were matched 1:3 by birthweight (BW) and gestational age (GA) with babies in the later cohort. We compared the proportion of eyes with moderate (type 2) or treatment-requiring (TR) ROP, and an AI-derived ROP vascular severity score (from retinal fundus images) at the initial tele-retinal screening exam for all babies in a district, VSS), in the 2 time periods. Differences in the proportions of type 2 or worse and TR-ROP cases, and VSS between time periods. Among BW and GA matched babies, the proportion [95% confidence interval {CI}] of babies with type 2 or worse and TR-ROP decreased from 60.9% [53.8%-67.7%] to 17.1% [14.0%-20.5%] (P < 0.001) and 16.8% [11.9%-22.7%] to 5.1% [3.4%-7.3%] (P < 0.001), over the 2 time periods. Similarly, the median [interquartile range] VSS in the population decreased from 2.9 [1.2] to 2.4 [1.8] (P < 0.001). In South India, over a 5-year period, the proportion of babies developing moderate to severe ROP has dropped significantly for babies at similar demographic risk, strongly suggesting improvements in primary prevention of ROP. These results suggest that AI-based assessment of ROP severity may be a useful epidemiologic tool to evaluate temporal changes in ROP epidemiology. Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.

Surveillance of invasive meningococcal disease in southern Brazil: considerations of an immunization programme.

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is a major cause of meningitis and septicaemia worldwide. Changes in serogroup predominance contribute to the unpredictable nature of the disease, with significant health impact. This study aimed to determine the epidemiological profile of IMD in Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina and Paraná, three states in southern Brazil. We analysed 1024 IMD cases that had been confirmed by clinical and/or laboratory criteria and reported to the national information system for notifiable diseases between 2015 and 2019. Additionally, we calculated the proportions of serogroup and incidence by age. Of 1024 cases, 562 (55 %) were caused by serogroup C. Furthermore, serogroup W was responsible for almost half of the cases among children younger than 5 years between 2017 and 2018, with an overall incidence of 1.5 cases/100 000 infants. IMD remains a significant healthcare issue in southern Brazil despite reduced serogroup C incidence after the introduction of the meningococcal C conjugate vaccine into the childhood immunization programme. Changes in disease epidemiology were observed, and serogroup W was the most common serogroup among children younger than 5 years in 2017 and 2018. Although future cost-effectiveness studies are necessary, our results could have future implications for meningococcal vaccination programmes.

Dengue Fever Based on Epidemiological Situation: Current Outbreak in Timor-Leste on January 2020 Until February 2022

Background: The dengue Fever is the fastest emerging arboviral infection spread by Aedes mosquitos with superior in public health impact in over 100 tropical and sub-tropical in South East Asia, western Pacific and South and Central America. More up to 2.5 billion people globally lives under the threat of dengue fever and its severe forms dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) or dengue shock syndromes (DSS). More than 75% of these people, or approximately 1.8 billion, live in the Asia Pacific Region. As the diseases spreads to new geographical areas, the frequency of the outbreaks is increasing along with a changing disease epidemiology. It is estimated that 50 million people suffering of DHF required hospitalization each year, a must large proportion of whom (approximately 90%) are children less than five years old. About 2.5% of those affected with dengue die of the illness. Objective: The study to spread knowledge of present situation of dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue fever shock syndrome this occurs in Timor-Leste in January 2020 until February 2022 by epidemiological approach. Research Design: The study adopted an analysis descriptive cross-sectional research based on data epidemiological health system information the Ministry of Health, Hospitals and Health Centers. Subject and sampling: The total number of study subjects was 506 (48 health professionals 1451 caregivers and their children under 5 years and 29 managers on health care settings). Setting: This investigation was carried out in the twenty-nine primary health settings affiliated in Health Municipality of Timor-Leste. Study tools: Three tools where use for data collection 1-Health professionals occupational and educational qualifications data assessment sheet. 2-Observation checklist of case management action. 3-Manager’s feedback self- administrate questionnaire. Results: Current results from died showed that 0.7% in 2020 and 1.3% actual 2022 and perception of new borne care suffering 3.8% for the dengue fever not mistake, that has good idea 96.2% he said understanding of DF, DHF and DSS. Recommendations: The research recommended that DF-DHF evaluation and supervision need more implementation in service training have been adequate the health professionals care and the participation of population cleanup home and environmental just more importance the people to understanding real situation process in current and future of Timor-Leste. Conclusions: The level of adherence of DF-DHF regarding children’s case management of dengue fever of DSS status was poor for closely partial of situation associated less than one one-fifth presented good level observance.

Persistence and Changing Distribution of Leishmaniases in Kenya Require a Paradigm Shift.

Background Leishmaniases present a major global public health problem, being responsible for between 40,000 and 50,000 deaths annually. The resultant morbidity affects the economic productivity and quality of life of individuals in endemic regions. As zoonotic disease(s), leishmaniases have become persistent with intermittent transmission and a tendency to disappear and reemerge, straining the fragile healthcare infrastructure in Kenya. There is a need to better understand disease(s) dynamics in Kenya. Objectives of the study. The status of leishmaniases in Kenya was reviewed to refocus and influence the attention of the scientific community and intervention strategies/policies on this persistent public health problem. Methodology. Electronic and manual literature were searched for relevant scholarly peer-reviewed published articles on leishmaniases. Literatures were obtained from PubMed, Medline, EBSCO, Host, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. Findings. The diseases are reported to be persistent as emerging and reemerging within and outside traditional endemic regions. Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) has maintained restricted foci in Nyandarua, Baringo, Nakuru counties, and Mount Elgon area in Bungoma County. Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) was most prevalent with cases in Baringo, Turkana, West Pokot, Isiolo, Kitui, Meru, Machakos, Marsabit, and Wajir counties. New VL cases/foci reported in formerly nonendemic regions/beyond traditional foci of Garissa and Mandera counties. Diagnostics, management, and control strategies have remained unchanged even in the face of changing disease epidemiology. Conclusion Leishmaniases are emerging and reemerging persistent infections in remote rural settings in Kenya. The adopted intervention strategies have not been effective over the years, and this has led to disease spread to formerly nonendemic areas of Kenya. The diseases spread have been further enhanced by population growth and movement, environmental and climate changes, and social conflicts. It is evident that without a paradigm shift in control methods, diagnostic techniques, and treatment protocols, the diseases may spread to even more areas in the country.

Toward Establishing Integrated, Comprehensive, and Sustainable Meningitis Surveillance in Africa to Better Inform Vaccination Strategies.

Large populations across sub-Saharan Africa remain at risk of devastating acute bacterial meningitis epidemics and endemic disease. Meningitis surveillance is a cornerstone of disease control, essential for describing temporal changes in disease epidemiology, the rapid detection of outbreaks, guiding vaccine introduction and monitoring vaccine impact. However, meningitis surveillance in most African countries is weak, undermined by parallel surveillance systems with little to no synergy and limited laboratory capacity. African countries need to implement comprehensive meningitis surveillance systems to adapt to the rapidly changing disease trends and vaccine landscapes. The World Health Organization and partners have developed a new investment case to restructure vaccine-preventable disease surveillance. With this new structure, countries will establish comprehensive and sustainable meningitis surveillance systems integrated with greater harmonization between population-based and sentinel surveillance systems. There will also be stronger linkage with existing surveillance systems for vaccine-preventable diseases, such as polio, measles, yellow fever, and rotavirus, as well as with other epidemic-prone diseases to leverage their infrastructure, transport systems, equipment, human resources and funding. The implementation of these concepts is currently being piloted in a few countries in sub-Saharan Africa with support from the World Health Organization and other partners. African countries need to take urgent action to improve synergies and coordination between different surveillance systems to set joint priorities that will inform action to control devastating acute bacterial meningitis effectively.

Corrigendum to: Changing Disease Epidemiology to Inform Expanded Coronavirus Disease 2019 Testing.

Corrigendum to: Changing Disease Epidemiology to Inform Expanded Coronavirus Disease 2019 Testing.

Surveillance of invasive meningococcal disease in the south of Brazil: considerations of immunization programme.

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is a major cause of meningitis and septicaemia worldwide. The switches in serogroup predominance contribute to the unpredictable nature of the disease with significant health impacts. The aim of this study was to determine the epidemiological profile of IMD in Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina and Paraná, three states in the south of Brazil. All meningitis cases confirmed by clinical and/or laboratory criteria notified to the national information system for notifiable diseases between 2015 and 2019 were analysed. Proportions of serogroup and incidence by age were calculated. A total of 17 894 cases of IMD were reported during this period. Of these, 9029 cases (50 %) were due to serogroup C. Furthermore, serogroup W was responsible for almost half of the cases among children younger than 5 years old during 2017 and 2018, with an overall incidence of 33.3 cases per 100 000 infants. Despite the reduction in serogroup C after the introduction of meningococcal C conjugate vaccine into a childhood immunization programme in Brazil, it remains a significant healthcare issue in the south of the country. Changes in disease epidemiology were observed and serogroup W was the most common among children below 5 years of age in 2017 and 2018. Although future cost-effectiveness studies are necessary, our results could have future implications for meningococcal vaccination programmes.

1386. Current Estimates of the Impact of Routine Childhood Immunizations in Reducing Vaccine-Preventable Diseases in the United States

BackgroundRoutine immunizations for children aged 10 years and younger in the United States (US) currently cover 14 diseases. Updated estimates of public health impact are needed, given changes in disease epidemiology, evolving recommendations, and the dynamic nature of compliance with the immunization schedule.MethodsPre-vaccine disease incidence was estimated before each routine vaccine was recommended, with average values across multiple years obtained directly from published literature or calculated based on disease surveillance data or annual case estimates from the published literature. Pre-vaccine incidence then was compared to current, post-vaccine incidence, which was generally calculated as average values over the most recent 5 years of available incidence data. Overall incidence estimates and estimates by age group were calculated. Differences in pre- and post-vaccine disease incidence rates were used to calculate the annual number of cases averted, based on 2019 US population estimates. This analysis did not separately estimate the proportion of disease incidence reduction that may be attributed to adult vaccines or booster doses.ResultsPost-vaccine disease incidence decreased overall and for all age groups across all diseases evaluated (Table 1). Decreases ranged from 17.4% for influenza to 100.0% for polio (Figure 1). Over 90% reduction in incidence was achieved for 10 of the 14 diseases evaluated (including reduction in incidence of rotavirus hospitalizations). Overall post-vaccine disease incidence estimates were highest for influenza, rotavirus, and varicella. Estimated annual cases averted by vaccination in 2019 ranged from 1,269 for tetanus to more than 4.2 million for varicella.Table 1. Pre- and Post-Vaccine Disease Incidence Estimates, Annual Cases, and 2019 Cases Averted, by Disease Figure 1. Percentage Reduction in Disease Incidence Post-Vaccine, by Disease ConclusionRoutine childhood immunization in the US continues to result in high, sustained reduction in disease across all vaccines and for all age groups evaluated.DisclosuresElizabeth M. La, PhD, RTI Health Solutions (Employee) Justin Carrico, BS, GlaxoSmithKline (Consultant) Sandra E. Talbird, MSPH, RTI Health Solutions (Employee) Ya-Ting Chen, PhD, Merck & Co., Inc. (Employee, Shareholder) Mawuli K. Nyaku, DrPh, Merck & Co. Inc. (Employee, Shareholder) Cristina Carias, PhD, Merck (Employee, Shareholder) Gary S. Marshall, MD, GlaxoSmithKline (Consultant, Scientific Research Study Investigator)Merck (Consultant, Scientific Research Study Investigator)Pfizer (Consultant, Scientific Research Study Investigator)Sanofi Pasteur (Consultant, Grant/Research Support, Scientific Research Study Investigator, Honorarium for conference lecture)Seqirus (Consultant, Scientific Research Study Investigator) Craig S. Roberts, PharmD, MPA, MBA, Merck & Co., Inc (Employee, Shareholder)

Kawasaki Disease and Kawasaki Disease Shock Syndrome Hospitalization Rates in the United States, 2006-2018.

Kawasaki disease (KD) is a febrile illness of unknown etiology. Patients with Kawasaki disease shock syndrome (KDSS) may present with clinical signs of poor perfusion and systolic hypotension in addition to typical KD features. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analyzes and interprets large hospitalization databases as a mechanism for conducting national KD surveillance. The Kids' Inpatient Database (KID), the National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample (NIS), and the IBM MarketScan Commercial (MSC) and MarketScan Medicaid (MSM) databases were analyzed to determine KD-associated hospitalization rates and trends from 2006 to the most recent year of available data. KD and potential KDSS hospitalizations were defined using International Classification of Disease-Clinical Modification codes. For the most recent year, the KD-associated hospitalization rates for children <5 years of age were 19.8 (95% CI: 17.2-22.3, KID: 2016), 19.6 (95% CI: 16.8-22.4, NIS: 2017), 19.3 (MSC: 2018), and 18.4 (MSM: 2018) per 100,000. There was no indication of an increase in KD rates over the time period. Rates of potential KDSS among children <18 years of age, ranging from 0.0 to 0.7 per 100,000, increased; coding indicated potential KDSS for approximately 2.8%-5.3% of KD hospitalizations. Analyses of these large, national databases produced consistent KD-associated hospitalization rates, with no increase over time detected; however, the percentage of KD hospitalizations with potential KDSS increased. Given reports of increasing incidence elsewhere and the recent identification of a novel virus-associated syndrome with possible Kawasaki-like features, continued national surveillance is important to detect changes in disease epidemiology.

Changing Disease Epidemiology to Inform Expanded Coronavirus Disease 2019 Testing.

Changing Disease Epidemiology to Inform Expanded Coronavirus Disease 2019 Testing.

Public Health and Epidemiology Informatics: Can Artificial Intelligence Help Future Global Challenges? An Overview of Antimicrobial Resistance and Impact of Climate Change in Disease Epidemiology.

Summary Objectives : To provide an oveiview of the current application of artificial intelligence (AI) in the field of public health and epidemiology, with a special focus on antimicrobial resistance and the impact of climate change in disease epidemiology. Both topics are of vital importance and were included in the “Ten threats to global health in 2019“ report published by the World Health Organization. Methods : We analysed publications that appeared in the last two years, between January 2017 and October 2018. Papers were searched using Google Scholar with the following keywords: public health, epidemiology, machine learning, data analytics, artificial intelligence, disease surveillance, climate change, antimicrobial resistance, and combinations thereof. Selected articles were organised by theme. Results : In spite of a large interest in AI generated both within and outside the scientific community, and of the many opinions pointing towards the importance of a better use of data in public health, few papers have been published on the selected topics in the last two years. We identify several potential reasons, including the complexity of the integration of heterogeneous data, and the lack of sound and unbiased validation procedures. Conclusions : As there is a better comprehension of AI and more funding available, artificial intelligence will become not only the centre of attention in informatics, but more importantly the source of innovative solutions for public health.

Outbreaks of meningococcal meningitis in non-African countries over the last 50 years: a systematic review.

BackgroundMeningococcal disease is caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis, leading to substantial mortality and severe morbidity; with serogroups A, B, C, W135, X and Y most significant in causing disease. An outbreak is defined as multiple cases of the same serogroup occurring in a population over a short time-period. A systematic review was performed to gain insight into outbreaks of meningococcal disease and to describe the temporal pattern over the last 50 years in non-African countries.MethodsPubMed and EMBASE were searched for English-language publications on outbreaks of meningococcal disease in non-African countries between January 1966 and July 2017, with an additional grey literature search. Articles and reports were considered eligible if they reported confirmed meningococcal outbreak cases, included the region, number of cases, and the start and end dates of the outbreak. Data on outbreaks was stratified by geographical region in accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO) regional classification, and case-fatality rates (CFRs) were calculated.ResultsOf the identified publications, 3067 were screened and 73 included, reporting data from 83 outbreaks. The majority of outbreaks were identified in the regions of the Americas (41/83 outbreaks), followed by the European region (30/83 outbreaks). In each of the Western Pacific, Eastern Mediterranean, and South-East Asian regions there were <10 outbreaks reported. The predominant serogroup in the majority of outbreaks was serogroup C (61%), followed by serogroup B (29%), serogroup A (5%) and serogroup W135 (4%). Outbreaks showed a peak in the colder months of both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Of the 54 outbreaks where CFR was calculable for all outbreak cases, it ranged from 0%-80%.ConclusionsThese data present a retrospective view of the patterns for meningococcal disease outbreaks in non-African countries, and provide valuable data for monitoring future changes in disease epidemiology and informing preventive measures.

A Decade On: Systematic Review of ClinicalTrials.gov Infectious Disease Trials, 2007-2017.

BackgroundRegistration of interventional trials of Food and Drug Administration–regulated drug and biological products and devices became a legal requirement in 2007; the vast majority of these trials are registered in ClinicalTrials.gov. An analysis of ClinicalTrials.gov offers an opportunity to define the clinical research landscape; here we analyze 10 years of infectious disease (ID) clinical trial research.MethodsBeginning with 166 415 interventional trials registered in ClinicalTrials.gov from 2007–2017, ID trials were selected by study conditions and interventions. Relevance to ID was confirmed through manual review, resulting in 13 707 ID trials and 152 708 non-ID trials.ResultsID-related trials represented 6.9%–9.9% of all trials with no significant trend over time. ID trials tended to be more focused on treatment and prevention, with a focus on testing drugs, biologics, and vaccines. ID trials tended to be large, randomized, and nonblinded with a greater degree of international enrollment. Industry was the primary funding source for 45.2% of ID trials. Compared with the global burden of disease, human immunodeficiency virus/AIDS and hepatitis C trials were overrepresented, and lower respiratory tract infection trials were underrepresented. Hepatitis C trials fluctuated, keeping with a wave of new drug development. Influenza vaccine trials peaked during the 2009 H1N1 swine influenza outbreak.ConclusionsThis study presents the most comprehensive characterization of ID clinical trials over the past decade. These results help define how clinical research aligns with clinical need. Temporal trends reflect changes in disease epidemiology and the impact of scientific discovery and market forces. Periodic review of ID clinical trials can help identify gaps and serve as a mechanism to realign resources.

Recent Advances on the Multiplex Molecular Detection of Plant Viruses and Viroids.

Plant viruses are still one of the main contributors to economic losses in agriculture. It has been estimated that plant viruses can cause as much as 50 billion euros loss worldwide, per year. This situation may be worsened by recent climate change events and the associated changes in disease epidemiology. Reliable and early detection methods are still one of the main and most effective actions to develop control strategies for plant viral diseases. During the last years, considerable progress has been made to develop tools with high specificity and low detection limits for use in the detection of these plant pathogens. Time and cost reductions have been some of the main objectives pursued during the last few years as these increase their feasibility for routine use. Among other strategies, these objectives can be achieved by the simultaneous detection and (or) identification of several viruses in a single assay. Nucleic acid-based detection techniques are especially suitable for this purpose. Polyvalent detection has allowed the detection of multiple plant viruses at the genus level. Multiplexing RT polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been optimized for the simultaneous detection of more than 10 plant viruses/viroids. In this short review, we provide an update on the progress made during the last decade on techniques such as multiplex PCR, polyvalent PCR, non-isotopic molecular hybridization techniques, real-time PCR, and array technologies to allow simultaneous detection of multiple plant viruses. Also, the potential and benefits of the powerful new technique of deep sequencing/next-generation sequencing are described.

Bovine and small ruminant African animal trypanosomiasis in Nigeria - A review.

Despite extensive attempts over many decades to control African Animal Trypanosomiasis (AAT) across the tsetse fly belt of Nigeria, AAT persists as major animal health problem causing severe morbidity and mortality in livestock. The large agricultural losses in turn have severe adverse impacts on sustainable agricultural development. Despite this, in the past 50 years there have been no significant national control programs against AAT. This review explores the history of AAT control in Nigeria, examining the successes and failures in measures adopted in Nigeria to control AAT and the changing disease epidemiology.

Time trends of positivity rates from foodborne pathogen testing in Switzerland, 2003 to 2012.

Campylobacteriosis and salmonellosis are important foodborne diseases in Europe, including in Switzerland. In 2014, notification rates for Switzerland were 92.9 per 100 000 population for campylobacteriosis and 15.2 per 100 000 population for salmonellosis. These notification rates originate from laboratory-based surveillance whereby positive test results are reported to the National Notification System for Infectious Diseases. Consequently, notification rates do not directly correspond to the disease burden among the population as the number of positive tests depends on patients' healthcare-seeking behaviour, stool sampling rates and other factors. We assessed laboratory positivity rates (proportion of positive tests among all tests performed) of diagnostic tests for Campylobacter and Salmonella from five private laboratories in Switzerland between 2003 and 2012. We analysed demographic characteristics, temporal and spatial distribution of test numbers and positivity rates. Predictors for a positive test and disease seasonality were assessed with logistic regression analyses. A total of 135 122 (13 095 positive) Campylobacter tests and 136 997 (2832 positive) Salmonella tests were obtained with positive tests corresponding to 20.4% and 17.2% of notified campylobacteriosis and salmonellosis cases, respectively. The number of tests conducted annually increased for both pathogens by 51% from 2003 to 2012. Annual positivity rates of Campylobacter increased from 7.6 to 11.1% and rates of Salmonella decreased from 2.7 to 1.5%. The largest increases in annual Campylobacter positivity rates were observed for patients older than 85 years (+193.7%), followed by children aged 5-9 years (+131.9%). Positivity rates and test numbers for both diseases by month or calendar week showed a distinct seasonality, with peak rates for Salmonella occurring in autumn and for Campylobacter in summer and at the turn of the year. These findings were independent of patients' age and sex. Both positivity rates and notification rates showed increasing trends for Campylobacter and decreasing trends for Salmonella, suggesting that these trends reflect changes in disease epidemiology at population level. The continuous assessment of positivity rates remains important to appropriately interpret changes observed in the notification system especially considering the increasing use of multiplex polymerase chain reaction test panels where multiple pathogens are tested simultaneously.